What’s Unique?

The overall layout of Pamplona is very minimalistic.  With clean lines and thin boarders that color shift to coordinate with the image, you will love the way that your images are presented.

Within the gallery, you will notice that the thumbnails are shown at the bottom just below your navigation bar and image.  Arrows to the left and right of the image, coupled with the thumbnails placed directly below the navigation bar, will give the user better control of the image speed and a more pleasant viewing experience.

To round things out; the unique transitions, animation, and loader symbol bring an interesting dynamic to your website.  As you control the other customizable features like backgrounds, colors, music, transition speed, and size of your images; your new Pamplona website will be brought to life! 

What’s carried over from Barcelona and Madrid?

You will notice a “banner like” layout that displays your large (re-sizable) image, framed with the unique PhotoBiz color shifting ability.  The incredibly unique “re-sizable” layout allows your layout to always stretch across the viewers monitor and simply add more space to the top and bottom of your website.  This border will be added to only the top and bottom and will allow you to choose any color or background image to be displayed.  This is a very unique feature that is different from all of the other PhotoBiz templates!

The NEW navigation bar is built with the roll-over capabilities so that you do not need to click on it to pull up the drop down navigation bars.  In the image below, you will notice it displays “The Photographer”, “Unique Features”, & “Our Products”.  As you simply hover your mouse over “Information”, this drop down menu appears.  Less clicking = Less confusion!

The logo placement can be anywhere across the top in Madrid.  If you would like it on the left, right, or center; that’s not problem.  You can make these changes with a click of the mouse.  The logo is placed just off of and above your image to emphasize the main focus, your images! 

What else is included with the Full Screen Collection?

As this series is a part of the larger “Full Screen” collection, let’s look at some of its other fully customizable attributes:

• Complete Color Customization
• Best SEO in the Industry
• Custom Background Upload
• Re-sizable Image Frames
• 32 Changeable Fonts and Styles
• Unlimited Galleries
• Full List of Features!

The Best SEO in the Industry is of course included for FREE! This includes page specific Meta Tags, deep linking URL’s, Automatic XML site mapping, an HTML Splash Page, an automatic HTML mirror site (One-time $45 fee) and unlimited free access to SEO specialists here on the PhotoBiz team. 

All of the images in this template are provided by
Kimberly Kay

Give us your Feedback and let us know what you think.

Feel Free to Re-Tweet, Share, and re-distribute this article!

CLICK HERE TO VIEW A LIVE SAMPLE!!

Exhibit Dates:

Monday, March 8 – Wednesday, March 10, 2010

 Location:

MGM Conference Center • Las Vegas, NV

 Trade Show Hours:

Monday & Tuesday: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Wednesday: 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

PhotoBiz is going to be located at booth #1212 in the MGM Grand Hotel Conference Center.  With such a large exhibitor hall, we thought that we should make it a little easier for you to find us, so here is a little map to help you out.

“Door Buster Special”

Due to the enthusiastic response PhotoBiz will once again offer the “Door Buster Special” at the Las Vegas WPPI trade show. This offer is only available to the visitors of booth #1212 between 10:00 A.M. and 12:00 P.M. or to the first 100 sign-ups. A total website package consisting of a Flash site, HTML mirror site and a Mobile mirror site will be offered for ONLY $95! (Regular $390)

Already a PhotoBiz Customer?

Come make some money!  Not only are we going to have some absolutely incredible specials for your friends, but you can WIN two different ways:

• Bring a friend by the booth that signs up, and you will get a $20 check per sign-up!
• Bring three (3) friends that sign up and you will win a FREE IPOD TOUCH!

*Referrals must remain active clients for 45 days as our terms of use states.

What’s NEW?

PhotoBiz will be introducing three new templates, a new mobile website, a new chat function and the powerful new Client Viewing feature.

New Websites:  From the inception of the company PhotoBiz has been a industry leading developer of website templates for photographers. We will be introducing three new Full Screen Templates:  Pamplona, San Francisco and Charleston. All will be full screen templates with color shifting capability; custom background ability, and all utilize the cloud computing technology in which PhotoBiz is the only Flash Template company offering.

Mobile Site:  PhotoBiz has introduced a brand new mobile website that will customize your flash websites to fit the new iPhone.  As iPhone’s are becoming more popular worldwide, PhotoBiz is innovating the industry and accommodating your developing business needs.

• Low set up fees ($25 one-time fee)
• No monthly fees. 
• They build and maintain themselves as you build and maintain your PhotoBiz Flash site.

Client Viewing:  This is a powerful new proofing tool that has been developed to complement and expand our online proofing and shopping cart features. This high impact presentation system is extremely customizable with multi lingual, complete color customization, font styles & sizes, transitions styles & speeds, AND MUCH MORE. This has the potential to be one of our customer’s favorite selling tools.

Smart Light Box:  Embed just about anything you can imagine into the PhotoBiz websites!  Chat, video, blog, Facebook, Twitter; you name it and we can probably help you get it on your PhotoBiz website with introduction of the PhotoBiz “Smart Light Box”!

About Tessa:  I am a self-taught portrait artist specializing in capturing real-life, of the moment images of  children, families and your ever-after.

Just a little bit about me.  First and foremost, I am a mother.  My son is my life, and he was my inspiration to try my hand at photography.  He inspires me daily, and keeps me on my toes and and inspires me to try new things and see the little moments in real life.   I strive to connect with my subjects and capture emotion and connections that get lost in everyday life.  I specialize in natural light, modern, custom portraiture.  I love what I do, and It shows in every image that I capture for my clients.

My ultimate goal in my photography is to provide you with more than just a portrait, but a timeless creation of your family’s personality, style and love for one another, of your newborn’s sweetness and of the ultimate anticipation of welcoming new life.  I love to take photographs, and have a great time doing it!

Facebook: Making it your gold mine!

So, you have set up your Facebook fan page, and are probably wondering “what do I do now, besides suggest it to my friends?” I have over 1,500 unique fans, and in this article, I am going to tell you:

• How I got so many fans
• How it has positively impacted my business
• How to make Facebook work for YOUR business

So, let’s get started!

When I originally got my fan page, I was somewhat clueless as to how to use it in a beneficial way. The most important thing to consider about Facebook is that you have an unlimited audience (many of whom are most definitely in your target market) and it is FREE! The days of print advertisements and phone books are just about long gone. Which is fine by me, as I try to keep my studio as green as possible, and I hate the thought of a beautiful marketing piece, that cost me good money to design, print and mail, just being tossed in the trash.

Step 1: Before you even attempt to work some Facebook magic, it is VERY IMPORTANT to know your target market. Really, it should be built into your business plan. Don’t have a business plan? Get one! There are lots of awesome online resources to help you get started. I have included a few below that I have found helpful.

http://www.bplans.com/photography_studio_business_plan/executive_summary_fc.cfm

http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/125/138

When thinking about your target market, think to yourself, “If I were my customer, what would I want?” Be sure to include things like:

- Product Offering: Keep it easy, yet unique
- Prices: Have you researched your area, included your COGS (costs of goods sold), insurance, time invested and general overhead? Are you priced appropriately (and charging enough?)
- Services: What do your competitors offer, and what are clients in your area looking for?

Once you have pondered awhile, done your market research and figured out more about your market and target clientele, it is time for…

Step 2: Create an offer to draw people to your page. The key here is to give people a reason to visit your page, fan you, and keep coming back.

For example, on my fan page, I ran a month-long “cutest kid” contest where I solicited everyone (and I mean EVERYONE) to enter their kids. This is not for the faint of heart. I canvassed everyone I knew, by word of mouth, by my personal Facebook page, etc. I had about 20 people enter, and during the month, I went from around 250 fans to over 1,500.

For me, there were two keys to this contest.

1. Getting people interested enough to sign up, and telling their friends to become my fan.
2. Taking advantage of my new audience, and posting posting posting! I posted new images, old images, etc. in order to keep the content fresh.

During my contest, the competition was FIERCE! I had some determined mommas wanting a discounted session with me!!

After the votes were counted, and the contest winner was announced, my fan pool has continually grown. I post fresh and fun content just about daily. I think that with Facebook, things move very quickly, so you must stay in people’s mind. If they see your awesome images and stories on a daily basis, chances are, they will visit your website and book you when they have photography needs.

Step 3- Continue to use your new audience to promote your business! I post images and information about my photography, specials, etc. constantly. I estimate that about 85% of my current bookings are Facebook referrals.

Connect w/ Tessa:  Website  ::  Facebook  ::  Blog

What equipment do you use?

I am of the philosophy if the equipment gets me the shot I want, than it is the right equipment.  I use high end Canon gear along with Profoto strobes when needed.  But if I had to, I could use any brand and love my results.  I love the “less is more” when packing my bag, but I also like having “back ups for my back ups” even when shooting locally.   I like breaking out the 400mm f/2.8 for sports and some of the looks I get from guests when I use it during weddings are crack ups.  But really, it is so useful when I need close ups and I want to stay way out of the way during the ceremony.  It’s not common to use but some venues just call for it because of distance and darkness.  I also really love using Radio Poppers. They are the most reliable remote sync I have used with my DSLR flashes. I hate carrying bags!  All the gear is carefully packet in ThinkTank roller bags.  Though I am not a “vest guy” I use my own creation, the Adventure Vest on assignments and when shooting sports. It totally saves my back and shoulders over a 10 hour day, not feeling the effects of carrying a ton of equipment.

How long have you been shooting?

I have been a professional ever since I got out of the University of Washington. This will be my 16th year as a full time photographer in June. Started in JP at the defunct Seattle Post-Intelligencer then on to another internship at the St. Louis Post Dispatch. From there I got in with Associated Press and Reuters News service witch led to other agencies like Sigma, Gamma and Liaison.  When Getty purchased them and I ended up getting a contract with Corbis.  During that time I was traveling back and forth to New York testing my artistic college degree as and editorial fashion photographer.  Settling back down in Seattle, senior portraits and stylish documentary weddings have taken me to a new level of photography.

Where are you located?

I am currently based out of Seattle.  I do love the Northwest, but I love a good plane ride. Traveling is somwthing I do very easily and very well.  I can’t wait for my next destination or adventure!

What type of photography do you like to create?

I love fashion photography and I try to implement concepts as an integral part of the documentary feel of the wedding day.  My high school seniors always have a ton of ideas or are open to my creative twists.  This collaboration produces images far beyond their expectations.   I do love traveling so doing destination weddings or locations shoots are my favorite.  I love shooting sports!!!!  Peak moments are so awesome! I totally respect the guys that can capture them in just a couple of shots rather than holding the button down and praying.

Price Range of Events?

• Weddings $4500 to $15,000
• Parties $2000 to $3000
• Portrait session $750 - $2000
• Commercial, Advertising, editorial $3500 – $15,000 Creative Fee

When did you notice you had a passion for Photography?

When my Dad gave me Canon F1 and a few rolls of film at age 8 while we were vacationing in Italy.  I was hooked.  I always was creating something on paper or on the classroom floor.  I loved being in the dark room watching those images appear slowly under water.  It is like magic.

What is unique to what you do?

I do believe it is my communication with clients along with stunning energetic images is what allows me to keep a step ahead.  I always am looking to better my work through photography, art or just learning something new, most of all to take complete care of my clients needs.

What’s the funniest thing that ever happened during a shoot?

One word, Groomsmen! Complete crack up every time! I ask groomsmen to play pranks on the groom through out the wedding party portrait session.  It never fails to erupt in tucked over abdominal crunching laughter!

Most Awkward moment during a wedding?

Mostly if and when groomsmen say something stupid.  I just look at the bride and raise an eyebrow to agree with her and it usually relaxes her.  Another one is the bride “popping” out of her strapless dress while she was being dipped by the groom and capturing the image. Oops…

What is the scariest thing that ever happened during a shoot?

Bride and Groom were being introduced to the guests at the reception.  She had her bouquet in her left hand and did a twirl on the dance floor, reached out to her groom with her right hand and before he could grab her she dislocated her LEFT shoulder. Fire trucks and ambulances were all around.  They wanted to take her for over night observation in the hospital.  There was no way she was going to the hospital.  Luckily one of her dear friends is a physical therapists that put her shoulder back in place because the fire crew would not do it.  She was a trooper and had a blast!

Best moment of your photography career?

Being published all over the world is a feat in itself.  Non the less I loved that the National Native American Museum Smithsonian ask for one of my images for their 10 year exhibit.  Every time one of my clients comes in to see their images and the looks of happiness or astonishment of just how amazing their images look is better than any award I have received throughout the years.

How many Shoots do you do each year?

• 25 to 40 weddings with engagement sessions
• 50 Portraits sessions including senior.
• 10 commercial  / advertising

Have you changed anything to adjust in the current economic times?

I have increased my advertising presence in many ways.  I mostly count on customer care so referrals come back to us fast and often. Social media has helped to get the word out too.  Photobiz’s flexibility and openness to new ideas and suggestions has been the greatest switch for us since starting with them 11 months ago.

Describe your shooting style:

My style is very energetic and sexy.  I love connecting with clients to find out just who they are and allow that big or shy personality to shine in my images.

 Click Here to Check out Alante Photography

Past Featured Photographers:

2009

February : March : April : May : June : July : August : September : October : November : December

2010

January : February

*Are you interested in becoming a featured photographer of the month with PhotoBiz?

Send an email to: Blogger [at] photobiz [dot] com. Include a paragraph stating why you think that you should be considered for this feature and a link to your website. (You must be willing to submit an interview and video testimonial if chosen)

Login to yourTwitter account.Scroll all the way down to the bottom of the screen and click on Goodies.

Next, click on Widgets.

On the Left side of the screen, click on My Website.

Now click on Profile Widget.

In the box, type in your Username.  The Username is what appears after www.twitter.com/username. Then click on Test Settings.

On the left side, click on Preferences to edit your settings.

Next, on the left side, click on Appearance to edit the colors of the badge.  Click on the color box to open a color picker.

Last, click on Dimensions.  You will want to leave the default settings for this section.

To retreive the embed code, click on Finish & Grab Code.  Highlight and copy the code.

In your PhotoBiz control panel, click on the External Link. 

Under the Page Settings you can change the name of the link as it shows in the navigation. 

Under the URL settings, choose Embedded Link beside Link Type. 

Paste the code from Twitter into the Embedded Content area. 

You can enter in a Link Caption.

To ensure the badge fits properly, set the Width as 250 and the Height to 387.

*Last, click on Update.  We recommend previewing the site before Publishing so you can view the changes.

PhotoBiz is so excited to announce the release of a one of a kind new feature that will blow you away!  This feature cannot be done with any other template system in our industry.  In fact, if you want to do something like what we are doing, it would require extensive coding knowledge and quite a bit of money!

What does it look like?

Our new light box is a beautiful overlay on top of your PhotoBiz website.  As it displays right on top of your website, users can tell that they have not left your site and they can still see your moving photos transition in an opaque view throughout the background.

What can it do?

What can’t you do is probably a better question.  You can have absolutely any link, video, website, contact form, social network, slideshow, or anything else online imaginable, appear directly on your website!  This feature is available under ANY menu item with your PhotoBiz Flash and/or HTML website!

Are you on Facebook?  Instead of just a link to your page, how would you like to bring Facebook to your Website?

Do you Blog? How powerful would it be if your customers can view and interact on your blog while they are still on your website?

A simple link to Twitter is never enough!  Your customers want to know what you are doing!  Bring the power of your twitter updates directly to your website with a number of Twitter widgets!

Do you use any studio management software?  How would you like to harness the contact management system directly on your PhotoBiz Website!

How would you like to have a completely customizable calendar embedded on your website?  Google has a great option for you but literally any web based calendar system that you use can now be brought to your PhotoBiz website!

What about a Chat function that allows your customers to chat with you while they are on your website?  With many embeddable chat features out there, your customers can initiate a chat directly on your website!  Using any smart phone, you can be mobile and keep in contact with you prospective clients.

Please don’t let our very brief ideas here restrict your creativity!  There are virtually unlimited options at your disposal with the new PhotoBiz “Smart Light Box”!  Try it out for yourself and leave a link back here with how you intend to use it!

How Customizable is it?

You are given complete control over the size of this “Smart Light Box”.  Simply insert the size you would like it to appear and it will automatically be centered over your website.  If the color customization is something you are worried about, there’s nothing to worry about with PhotoBiz!  All of the colors that you see on this embedded page can be 100% customized with our enhanced color picker!  Further customization includes a new roll-over caption feature is enabled on each embedded content page so that you can give a little bit more information to your viewers.  Colors and fonts choices again come in abundance.  Lastly, you can choose to disable background music from your website or not.  PhotoBiz is the King in giving you fully customizable features!

Where do I begin?

Now that you are excited to start using it, remember that as a PhotoBiz customer; there are no upgrade fees are hassles to add this feature.  As PhotoBiz is the only web template company that is truly cloud computing, this feature is already enabled in your web based drag and drop control panel and ready to use.  Here are some screen shot to point you in the right direction.

Step 1 is to add an External link in the “Web Pages” section of your control panel.

Step 2 This External Link is added to the bottom left.  Simply click on it to start your customizations.

OR

***There is a known Security measure in place with using the Facebook Page (Not Widget or Fan Badge) and Twitter Pages (Not Widgets) that may prevent optimal use of this feaure.  We are recommending that you use the Facebook Fan Badge and Twitter Widgets for best results.***

As we discussed last time, there are generally two types of SEO: White Hat and Black Hat. Black Hat SEO utilizes unethical methods to artificially inflate search engine placement. While White Hat SEO on the other hand, involves ethical techniques which conform to a search engine provider’s guidelines with no deceptions.  We are first going to focus in a little more on the White Hat techniques…

There is no specific ruleset for good SEO. The general guideline is this: the more accessible and readable your website would be to a live human being, the better it will rank on a search engine. Search engines specifically want to catalog pages that humans will use. The best thing you can do, therefore, is to make your content clear, accessible, easy to find, relevant and up to date.

Let’s look at some other things you can do to improve your searchability.

Links

One of the best things you can do for your site’s rank is to have a lot of good quality pages linking back to you. Keep in mind what the search engines consider “good quality”. Links from real sites are quality. Links from legitimate social media pages are good, too. Links from the comments on blog sites are rarely going to improve ranking because most blogs have a “nofollow” rule for links in the blog comments to prevent trash links from harming their own rankings.

A good way to generate rankings is to have a blog, and to crosslink your blog and website. While it isn’t necessary to have a subdomain URL for your blog, it is better for SEO than to use the generic blogging service subdomain URL.  If you set up a subdomain to use with your blog, not only are your crosslinking but now their friends have two sites with your domain name to link to. That’s good for search rankings.  Also, there is no practical difference between blog.mydomain.com and mydomain.com/blog for SEO purposes.  Remember, the search engines care about content and accessibility.

Another useful linking idea is to simply have reciprocal links with other related services. Your Links page is a valuable tool for SEO. You can offer suggestions based on the type of photography you do. Are you a wedding photographer?  Exchange links with bakeries, florists, bridal shops, tux rental shops, etc. Do you have connections with photographers who do other types of photography that you don’t do? Exchanging links with non-competitive colleagues is a great way to foster business for both sites. The more good quality links both to and from the site a web page has, the better it will rank on the search engines.  For SEO purposes inbound-only links do carry a little more weight than reciprocal links, but both are crucial to your SEO strategy.

Linkbaiting

It sounds bad, but linkbaiting is considered a white-hat technique. So what is linkbaiting? Simply put, linkbaiting is having things on your website that your clients will want to link to.

People love to see themselves featured. If a couple of good images from their shoot is on a gallery page, they’re likely to share the link around. They’ll place it on their social media pages or their own website if they have one. Use actual shots from photoshoots in your galleries, and swap them out fairly often rather than using the same set of images and never changing them. You can let your client know “Hey, your image is in my Weddings gallery, check it out! You can share the link with your friends too!” Your client gets the fun of being “featured” on your website and you get a little boost in rankings from their link appearing on social media sites.

Even better if you have a blog – you can do a write-up about the photo shoot and encourage your client to repost the blog link. If the blog and website are crosslinked, it’ll be good for both.

-Something else you can play with: Use a links page for testimonials. This is great if your client has a blog, website, facebook page, etc. You can set up the testimonial as a link to the client’s blog or social media, and request a link back in return.

Guest Writing
 
Do you know other photographers with blogs? How about wedding consultants, makeup experts, fashion or interior design consultants – anything at all your clients might also find useful. Why not offer to write a guest piece for the blog in exchange for a link? You can also invite them to write a piece for your own blog – not only will you be returning the favor, but you’ll attract both new visitors and help your page rankings for both blogs.

Renew Your Domain For Multiple Years 

One of the things the search engines look for is longevity. They want to know that you plan to be around awhile. The longer your domain name exists, the better your page ranking. What if your site is new? You can’t fake longevity, but you can show the search engines that you plan to be around. Renew your domain name for multiple years at a time. That will help show your site as one you plan to keep up with for the foreseeable future… and can earn you better rankings!

A Note About 301 Redirect:

You may have heard of this technique. If you’ve tested your PhotoBiz site using a website tester page, it may have told you that you don’t have this set up. We have good news for you: PhotoBiz does something just as good!

What a 301 redirect is intended to do is make it clear to the search engines that the www and non-www versions of your site are actually the same identical site, and not duplicate content on two different sites. Most search engines downrank for duplicate content, because duplicating content is now considered a black hat technique. What a 301 redirect does is point the non-www version to the www version to make it clear it’s the same site.

PhotoBiz does something that accomplishes the same purpose; We point the www version to the non-www version. Not all “website tester” pages recognize this, but the search engines are smart enough to pick it up.

If this is Good, What’s Bad?

Have you done all of this?  Well make sure that you are not using the ..Bad..  Black Hat SEO methods that we will go deeper into in our next SEO Post.

1. What equipment you do you use?
I shoot with BOTH digital and film believe it or not. I use all Nikon cameras and lenses. My digital cameras are the Nikon D700, and Nikon Dxs. I’m planning on purchasing the D3. My film cameras are Nikon F100 (I have 3 of them). I have lots of lenses. My favorite standard portrait lens is my 105mm f 2.8. I think every portrait photographer should invest in this lens. I also have a few zoom lenses. I have an 28mm -105mm macro zoom f 4.5/5.6. This is my party lens. I use it for candids and tight spaces with lots of people mingling around because I can zoom in and out. My other zoom is my 80mm-210mm f 2.8. I use this when I’m at a distance and need to zoom in and blow out the background completely. It’s a heavy lens but its serves it’s purpose. Occasionally but not often I’ll shoot with my 50mm on my Dxs (which becomes a 70mm) when I am in a tight space but need the extra speed for the 1.8 lens. I also have a collection of antique film cameras with imperfect lenses I occasionally use for my vintage looking imagery.
My lighting system is suprisingly simple.  Since I live in sunny, warm, southern California on the beach and near some magnificent location settings like the mountains, parks and some historic western towns and buildings not far there are endless outdoor locations I rarely shot in studio these days. I opt for using natural light whenever possible and simply modify it by using a reflector or flash fill. I use Nikon SB900 and 800 flashes with a light modifier mini soft box over the flash head for a very natural, diffused light. It’s awesome and simple.  Sometimes when I’m indoors or low-light situations I’ll use multiple flashes in a wireless system slaved with one of my flashes acting as the main controller. This enables me to get a key backlight and front fill light when I have to improvise natural light.  When I shoot interiors I LOVE using my Omni hot light kits. I have 4 heads. They’re compact, lightweight and all fit into a suitcase size that can easily be tossed onto a conveyor belt at the airport. The light is warm and beautiful and looks great for interiors and I can see the light and adjust it ever so slightly where and when I need to. The lights however are too hot for portraits. In this situation I’ll use either strobes, (profoto) and adjust the output for each head accordingly, or a bank of kinflows. These are cool, daylight balanced lights (non flash/strobe) but their output is not very powerful and the appearance is very different from strobes or hot lights. I use
apple computers with 2 cinema display screens and Epson printers.
 

2. How long have you been shooting?

I’ve been shooting professionally for 23 years since graduating from Brooks Institute of Photography in Santa Barbara. I started my entrepreneurial career however shooting back in high school as a teenager. I took a photo darkroom class and then started shooting pics of my boyfriend’s band. I would make prints and then sell them at lunchtime to groupies for 25-50 cents.

3. Where are you located?

Marina del Rey, CA

 
 
4. What type of photography do you take?

I am a primarily a “people” photographer with an intimate, soulful style. This style lends itself to many applications.  I shoot advertising, high-end weddings and events, high production and very unique engagement sessions, stock and fine art. I also shoot interiors which I really enjoy very much. It’s a great balance that keeps me on my toes. In the advertising world I am known as a lifestyle photographer – travel, leisure, hospitality and pharmaceutical. While I shoot a lot of different things my style remains consistent and this is very important. This is what the clients pay for. Like a chef in a fine restaurant, they want a photographer who can repeat a style and guarantee results, not someone how just gets lucky with a good shot here or there.

5. Price range of events?

 * Weddings: $5500 - $30,000

* Party-events: $1500 - $3000

* Portrait sessions: $750-$1500

* Advertising & Editorial jobs: $3500-7500 day rate

* Interiors: $850-$1500 per day

 6. When did you notice that you had passion for photography?

I was an artist from the day I could walk (accordingly to my parents). I didn’t play board games or have dolls. All I wanted to do was draw, paint, sculpt, design and create. I even won some local town contest for a drawing I did when I was in 2nd grade. In 1978 when I took my first high school photo class. I had a crush on my instructor and a boyfriend in a band so those two motivated me to continue.  After highschool when I went to college I had to choose a major. Everyone knew I would be an artist so it wasn’t even a second thought. I chose photography because it seemed like it would be a career field I could make actually make a real living at.

7. Is there anything unique about what you do?

Business and creativity go hand in hand and I am constantly having to balance the 2. I teach my interns and workshops students that evolving and growing as an artist is a life long journey one should enjoy and not rush. However, focusing on business skills is imperative.

8. What’s the funniest thing that ever happened during a shoot?

I’ve had a few. One of them was shooting a press shoot of a Turkish celebrity for an editorial magazine. I asked her to ride a bicycle down the street. She wore glasses normally but decided to remove them because she felt it would make a more attractive photo. I didn’t know how blind she was and asked her to ride towards me for a better shot. She rode the bicycle straight into me and nearly knocked me over! I did get some great shots though!

9. Most awkward moment during a wedding?

I asked a bride to position herself for me in a place where I could get a better shot of her tossing the bouquet to the bridesmaids. I didn’t realize how high she would throw the bouquet and also didn’t consider the chandelier was above her head. When she threw the bouquet  she threw it so high it hit the CANDLE chandelier and all the candles came crashing to the ground, (and her head!) wax and all! I learned my lesson from that one! Look around (all around) before positioning anyone anywhere!

10. What’s the scariest thing that ever happened during a shoot?

This was many years ago but my main camera got accidently set on the multiple exposure button,(don’t ask) and many of the shots got double exposed! I always carry multiple cameras so I did have some back up shots but after this happened we taped that button in place so it would never happen again!

I’ve had a few. Being your own boss, running a freelance photo business is not for everyone. Its hard and unpredictable but every now and then we’re reminded why we sacrifice a lot when something amazing happens:
I was en route to northern Norway for a combination work/pleasure trip. After living many years in Paris I had developed many European friends. One of my friends is Norwegian and lives on a remote island above the Arctic Circle. It was my first trip to Norway and certainly the farthest place north on the globe I had ever been. My objective was to shoot some stock, visit with her and her family and get some much need R&R. The airplane we took from the mainland to the island was a small 20-seater.  The flight was full but because my friend worked for the airlines she had some clout. She explained to them I was American and a photographer so they proudly agreed to allow me to sit in the only available seat, the jump seat in the cockpit! (sometimes being a photographer has its perks. Many people seemed fascinated by our profession!). For those of you who have never flown an actual airplane riding in the cockpit is an incredible experience. It’s very different then flying in the rest of the cabin. This is like being on the wings of a bird! Despite it was mid summer this day like many others in the arctic was cloudy and drizzling rain. As the plane flew low over the ocean and the numerous tiny islands the pilots eagerly allowed me to shoot my cameras and even moved their heads from shooting range so I could get a better shot. I was speechless at the majestic beauty of this strange and ominous landscape. I envisioned why the Vikings kept rowing further and further north. Just before we were about to land the sun burst through a cloud and a magnificent, enormous rainbow stretched between the tiny adjacent island to the miniscule landing strip of the island we were just about to land on! It was absolutely spectacular! I just kept shooting and shooting! It was one of those moments in life that I realized how blessed I was to be a photographer. It was a truly a remarkable experience!

12. How many shoots do you photograph each year?

It varies from year to year because I also teach workshops, do guest speaking appearances, do private consulting and write for my book projects. When I’m not shooting commissioned jobs I’m working on my personal fine art projects and am preparing for some gallery shows. I’m also a member of Kodak’s advisory board and have recently been asked to direct my first short film! I’m ecstatic about because I have always felt I should be directing. It’s just an organic transition.

Last year I did the following:

• 6 advertising jobs
• 20 portrait shoots, (these include families, individual, pregnancy, kids, seniors)
• 12 weddings
• 9 engagement sessions
• 5 stock shoots
• 6 personal project shoots

13. Have you had to changed anything to adjust in current economic times?

In the past I did very little advertising or promoting of my services for jobs. Jobs simply just came to me by word of mouth. Now I’m marketing a bit more and revamping my websites (thanks to phtobiz, to offer my clients a more user-friendly method of viewing my images. I’m also offering them mini websites (another great Photobiz feature!). Instead of reducing my rates substantially I’m increasing my product value giving my clients more for the same price. Photobiz has really helped!

14. Describe your shooting style?

I’m known as authentic “people person.” Establishing a safe, trusting relationship fast is something I’m good at. I’m a natural nurturer and I’m sympathetic to the uneasy feeling many people have around photographers, be it a person behind the lens (even a professional model) or a property owner who is spending thousands to document their interiors. I am very intuitive and read people easily. I can usually find something we have in common to relate to and that instantly helps them relax. I’m very confident in what I do and I think they sense and feel this so that helps too.

Check out Elizabeth’s PhotoBiz Website

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2009

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2010

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With over 15,000 photographers using PhotoBiz, we realized that there is an abundance of talent and knowledge here. The goal of our blog is to share our news, share industry news, and educate. With that said, what better way to educate than to utilize some of the best photographers in the world.

Hiram Trillo Art-Photography

About Hiram: I have been involved with photography for about 15 yrs. I have always been infatuated with photography. From childhood I use to love the photography of the 1920’s thru 50’s. All the images where so captivating, from cinema to the great depression every image told a story. I bought my first camera at the age of 17 from a pawn shop. Most of my early photography was shot and developed guerilla style. I would buy old film (yes film) from camera stores and would develop them at the univeristy campus darkroom even though I did not have a photography class. I got caught a few times, but I paid my way in by helping clean the room or anything they needed. I finally ended up taking a position at the university news paper and worked my way to becoming one of the sports editors. A professor at the university saw some of my photographs and added me to an art exhibition that his senior students were having at a local gallery. It was there that a soon to be bride approached me and asked of I would do a bridal portrait, I had never shot a bride before, but I gladly said yes. After that I decided to learn more about the industry and just felt in love with the idea of creating art pieces for such a great occasion.

After working and learning under some great wedding photographers I decided to do it on my own. I began honing my skills by learning everything in sight about wedding photography the likes and dislikes of it all and how I would take my artistic approach to this industry. We created a couple of stand alone pieces for a friends’ wedding soon after that we had our first client and Hiram Trillo Art-Photography was born.

Visit Hiram Trillo Art-Photography

Hiram Trillo
Hiram Trillo Art-Photography
www.hiramtrillo.com
806-252-3952
htrillophotography@sbcglobal.net

Are you a “VisionMonger”

Hiram Trillo: book review

-First off, I want to thank everyone for the great comments, emails, and friend requests I have received since I started writing these articles. I really enjoy it and you guys have been very kind. This month I thought I would write something a bit different. In the other two articles I touched on two subjects that we can all relate to. Developing a brand or name is always a work in progress. Why? Well it takes time to develop that name and recognition, and once you have it you have to work hard to maintain it. The other is gear; we all need it, however it’s not how much gear you have, but how much you do with what you have.

-This article is going to give you another tool. Last month I purchased a copy of the new David duChemin’s book VisionMongers. As many of you know duChemin is a professional photographer who specializes in humanitarian projects and world photography. His first book “With in the frame” was well received in the photographic community and it also helped cement deChemin as a true visionary for his knowledge and passion for photography. VisionMongers is a real, stay true to the art read. From the introduction the author tells it like it is. That is one of the reasons I enjoyed this book so much. The tone of the first chapter set the tone for the book. Many will take it as a negative, duChemin through out this chapter warns amateur and hobbyists about the negative side of going into photography as a profession. I have had many tell me that it was discouraging to read about how negative the book sees the professional photography world. I completely disagree. The author warns of the negative side of becoming a professional photographer. He does not sugar coat the facts, he just presents them. It is hard to make it in this industry with out (as Larry Perez’ article read) finding your niche. You must educate, build, and discover yourself before heading out to venture into an industry that is saturated already.

-Once you get passed the first chapter you will discover a world of knowledge. VisionMonger, short of doing it for you, is a blueprint for how to as the title says “make a life and a living in photography.” David dedicated a great portion of this book in developing your personal brand. Branding is everything now and duChemin gives you the tools to develop it, with advice on your logo, business cards, and social media such as website, blog, and twitters. David is an active blogger and twitter (@pixelatedimage). He recognizes the importance of trends and following it. Social media is heading in a direction where it will soon surpass traditional media such as print and television. We literally have the power at our fingertips. More and more people are going online to find what they need, and unless you meet them there you will be missing key clients. It is wise to establish your web presence. Remember it’s free so use it.

- VisionMongers deals with the work that needs to be done in order to succeed. The author encourages the reader to stay a hobbyist until one is ready to venture out. He speaks of education and the importance of it, he discusses the business aspect and its operations, such as contracts, negotiation and even sponsorships. You will get a very clear understanding of the business side of photography and how to better yourself as a business person. Business is the backbone of photography. If you are planning on making a living in the industry then you must balance the business side of things with equally great photography.

-One of the things I truly enjoyed about this book is the biographies within. David gives an insight into the beginnings of some of the great photographers in the industry such as: Kevin Clark, Darwin Wigget, Dave Delnea, Gavin Gough, Zach Arias, Karl Grobl, Grace Chon, and Chace Jarvis. All of these are success stories and all have an incredible web presence.

-This book is a must read for any level of photographer. If you have been in business for years, it will refresh your attitude towards your business as well as modernize it, and if you are an inspiring pro photographer then it will guide you through and explain key aspects necessary for your success. Unlike David’s first book “With in the Frame” this book is not intended to better yourself technically, it is a book to help you make a living out of your passion and what you need to support your hobby and make it in this great industry.

-I truly enjoyed this book. I have been a duChemin fan for many years. The only down side to this book is that it was published after I started my own business. It was great to see how on target I was on many things, but also how I could have avoided many headaches. Although I believe you are never truly done building and maintaining your brand, David duChemin hit a homerun with this book, and it shows how dedicated he truly is to the industry. If you have a chance I highly recommend picking up a copy as well as visiting his website and blog pixelatedimage.com/blog. For now I leave you with a quote that has always inspired me to stay creative, “Your imagination is your preview of life’s coming attractions.” Albert Einstein.

-As always all comments are appreciated.

Hiram Trillo